Bendix Completes Purchase of Vehicle Sensor Business

One week after signing a definitive agreement, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Bendix), a member of the Knorr-Bremse Group, announces it has finalized its purchase of select assets – including SafetyDirect and the AutoVue Lane Departure Warning System – from Iteris, Inc.

The transaction – which closed on July 29 – immediately incorporates the technologies and associated research, development, sales and service operations into the electronics business units at Bendix and Knorr-Bremse. The products join other leading safety technologies such as the Bendix ESP Electronic Stability Program, Bendix Wingman Advanced – A Collision Mitigation Technology, and SmarTire tire pressure monitoring system by Bendix CVS.

In connection with the transaction, Bendix has initiated a short-term manufacturing and distribution agreement with Iteris to ensure uninterrupted product availability and service during the transition period.

“There’s no doubt our goal is a seamless transition for our customers,” says Kevin Romanchok, Bendix product line director for electronics. “There will be no initial change to the ordering or delivery process as it has previously been established for SafetyDirect data management or the AutoVue LDW System. Customers should continue to use their existing order and day-to-day support contacts until further notice.”

“SafetyDirect and AutoVue Lane Departure Warning System are stand-alone technologies that can be ordered independent of other safety-related technologies such as Bendix ESP and Bendix Wingman Advanced. AutoVue Lane Departure Warning systems are released at major OEMs in North America, at most European OEMs, and in Japan. SafetyDirect data management is available with major North American fleets. Both can be retrofit to vehicles already in service,” Romanchok adds. “With a comprehensive offering of electronics-based products, performance, and expertise available from Bendix, vehicle operators now benefit from a unique ‘one-stop’ shopping opportunity.”

“Every Bendix employee is passionate about improving the safety of our nation’s highways; about reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries in commercial vehicle-related accidents; and about providing an economic payback to our end-users through a complete range of active safety systems. This move helps to further advance our overall business growth plan and our technology road map,” says Scott Burkhart, Bendix vice president & general manager – Controls group.